£10m training scheme is on TRAC for Glyndŵr University

Training providers in North Wales are being urged to bid for work on a new £10million scheme to give youngsters access to education and employment.

The TRAC Project is aimed at 11-19 year-olds across the six counties who are at risk of disengaging from education.

Details will shared at a Meet The Buyer event at Glyndŵr University's Optic Centre in St Asaph from 1pm to 4pm on Monday.

The event has been organised to identify training and skills providers to work with young people who might otherwise be in danger of becoming NEET – Not in Education, Employment or Training.

Organisers say places are limited and filling up fast.

The aim is to provide "bespoke and tailored help and support" to prepare those who take part for the world of work.

The project has been developed with support from the North Wales Economic Ambition Board which has been recognised by Welsh Government as one of its three regional skills partnerships in Wales

The board was established by public and private sector partners, to collaborate on the development of North Wales as a "confident and outward looking region with a diverse and high value economy".

The TRAC project will run for three to five years and is aiming to secure money from European Structural Funds. Subject to approval, it will also be match funded with contributions from the six North Wales county councils, and other potential partners.

Iwan Thomas, the Regional Skills and Employment Lead for North Wales, said: “Our aim is to create a bespoke, coordinated suite of services tailored to those young people who need our help and support. It’s not a blanket approach to fit all.

"The Meet The Buyer event is an opportunity for training providers, further education colleges and other organisations, both public and private, to find out how to become involved within the project.

"One of the outcomes of success for TRAC will be to demonstrate that we have improved attainment leading to continued development of a skilled, agile and resilient future workforce.

"With the project aiming to demonstrate consistency with the six aspects of the Youth Engagement and Progression Framework, partners will ensure the right programme for participants is developed to develop their own particular learning pathway to achieve the skills and accreditation they need and the ambition to succeed.

“The project will reach out to young people with the aim of raising individual attainment and enhancing the quality of the workforce of the future.

"The event at The OpTic Centre will give local providers the opportunity to meet with us, hear about the TRAC project and its aims and objectives are see some examples of the types of provision we are looking for.”

There will also be a demonstration by local authority colleagues of the e-procurement system to potential providers.

For more information about the Meet the Buyer event at The Optic Centre, in St Asaph on Monday (March 2), visit: